Dependent location-monitoring bracelet

ABSTRACT

The dependent location-monitoring bracelet is a jewelry item. The dependent location-monitoring bracelet is configured for use with a client. The dependent location-monitoring bracelet is worn on the wrist of a client. The dependent location-monitoring bracelet is configured for use with an appropriate authority. The dependent location-monitoring bracelet is biometrically attached to the client such that the dependent location-monitoring bracelet can only be removed from the client by the appropriate authority. The dependent location-monitoring bracelet comprises the jewelry item and an alarm circuit. The jewelry item contains the alarm circuit. The alarm circuit communicates the location of the client using SMS messages transmitted over a wireless communication link and through a commercially provided and publicly available cellular wireless network.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of signaling and instrumentsincluding alarms for ensuring the safety of a person, more specifically,a transmitting and receiving system carried by a parent and a childwherein the exact location of the child is determined using a navigationsatellite system. (G08B21/0269)

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The dependent location-monitoring bracelet is a jewelry item. Thedependent location-monitoring bracelet is configured for use with aclient. The dependent location-monitoring bracelet is worn on the wristof a client. The dependent location-monitoring bracelet is configuredfor use with an appropriate authority. The dependent location-monitoringbracelet is biometrically attached to the client such that the dependentlocation-monitoring bracelet can only be removed from the client by theappropriate authority. The dependent location-monitoring braceletcomprises the jewelry item and an alarm circuit. The jewelry itemcontains the alarm circuit. The alarm circuit communicates the locationof the client using SMS messages transmitted over a wirelesscommunication link and through a commercially provided and publiclyavailable cellular wireless network.

These together with additional objects, features and advantages of thedependent location-monitoring bracelet will be readily apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detaileddescription of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative,embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of thedependent location-monitoring bracelet in detail, it is to be understoodthat the dependent location-monitoring bracelet is not limited in itsapplications to the details of construction and arrangements of thecomponents set forth in the following description or illustration. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosuremay be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures,methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of thedependent location-monitoring bracelet.

It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including suchequivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spiritand scope of the dependent location-monitoring bracelet. It is also tobe understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein arefor purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention are incorporated in and constitute a partof this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention. They are meant to be exemplary illustrations provided toenable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are notintended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the described embodiments of the application anduses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary”or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or“illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations. All of the implementationsdescribed below are exemplary implementations provided to enable personsskilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended tolimit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, there is nointention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented inthe preceding technical field, background, brief summary or thefollowing detailed description.

Detailed reference will now be made to one or more potential embodimentsof the disclosure, which are illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5.

The dependent location-monitoring bracelet 100 (hereinafter invention)is a jewelry item 101. The invention 100 is configured for use with aclient 105. The invention 100 is worn on the wrist of a client 105. Theinvention 100 is configured for use with an appropriate authority 103.The invention 100 is biometrically attached to the client 105 such thatthe invention 100 can only be removed from the client 105 by theappropriate authority 103. The invention 100 comprises the jewelry item101 and an alarm circuit 102. The jewelry item 101 contains the alarmcircuit 102. The alarm circuit 102 communicates the location of theclient 105 using SMS messages transmitted over a wireless communicationlink 104 and through a commercially provided and publicly availablecellular wireless network 152.

The appropriate authority 103 further comprises a personal data device151. The personal data device 151 further comprises a commerciallyprovided and publicly available cellular wireless network 152. Thepersonal data device 151 is a programmable electrical device thatcommunicates with the alarm circuit 102 through the commerciallyprovided and publicly available cellular wireless network 152. Thepersonal data device 151 provides data management and communicationservices to the appropriate authority 103. The personal data device 151through one or more functions is referred to as an application. Theapplication is a set of logical operating instructions that areperformed by the personal data device 151. The addition of anapplication will provide increased functionality for the personal datadevice 151. This disclosure assumes that an application already existsfor the purpose of interacting with the alarm circuit 102. Methods todesign and implement an application on a personal data device 151 arewell known and documented in the electrical arts.

The client 105 is an individual designated to wear the jewelry item 101.

The jewelry item 101 is an item that is worn on the wrist of the client105. The jewelry item 101 contains the alarm circuit 102. The jewelryitem 101 attaches the alarm circuit 102 to the client 105. The jewelryitem 101 comprises a housing 111, a wrist band 112, and a latchingmechanism 113.

The housing 111 is a rigid structure. The housing 111 contains the alarmcircuit 102. The housing 111 is formed with all apertures and formfactors necessary to allow the housing 111 to accommodate the use andoperation of the alarm circuit 102. Methods to form a housing 111suitable for the purposes described in this disclosure are well-knownand documented in the mechanical arts.

The wrist band 112 is a loop that attaches the housing 111 to the wristof the client 105. The wrist band 112 is a flexible structure.

The latching mechanism 113 is a fastening device. The latching mechanism113 secures the wrist band 112 to the wrist of the client 105. Thelatching mechanism 113 is an electrically controlled lock. The latchingmechanism 113 is controlled by the alarm circuit 102.

The alarm circuit 102 is an electric circuit. The alarm circuit 102communicates with the GPS such that the alarm circuit 102 determines theGPS coordinates of the client 105. The alarm circuit 102 monitors thejewelry item 101 such that the alarm circuit 102 will detect when thejewelry item 101 is cut off of the client 105.

The alarm circuit 102 communicates over the wireless communication link104 with the commercially provided and publicly available cellularwireless network 152. The alarm circuit 102 transmits SMS messages overthe commercially provided and publicly available cellular wirelessnetwork 152 to an appropriate authority 103. The appropriate authority103 is an individual previously designated to receive SMS messages fromthe alarm circuit 102.

The alarm circuit 102 sends an SMS message to inform the appropriateauthority 103 of the GPS coordinates of the client 105. The alarmcircuit 102 sends an SMS message to inform the appropriate authority 103when the jewelry item 101 has been cut off the client 105. The alarmcircuit 102 biometrically confirms the identity of the appropriateauthority 103 before enabling the removal of the jewelry item 101 fromthe wrist of the client 105.

The alarm circuit 102 implements biometric safeguards that ensure thatonly the appropriate authority 103 can authorize the release of thejewelry item 101 from the wrist of the client 105.

The alarm circuit 102 comprises a logic module 121, a communicationmodule 122, a GPS module 123, a latch release 124, a charging port 127,a diode 128, a biometric sensor 129, and an external power source 131.The battery 126 further comprises a first positive terminal 141 and afirst negative terminal 142. The external power source 131 furthercomprises a second positive terminal 143 and a second negative terminal144. The external power source 131 further comprises a charging plug132.

The logic module 121 is a readily and commercially availableprogrammable electronic device that is used to manage, regulate, andoperate the alarm circuit 102. Depending on the specific design and theselected components, the logic module 121 can be a separate componentwithin the alarm circuit 102 or the functions of the logic module 121can be incorporated into another component within the alarm circuit 102.The communication module 122 is a wireless electronic communicationdevice. The communication module 122 is controlled by the logic module121.

The communication module 122 communicates SMS and MMS messages betweenthe logic module 121 and the appropriate authority 103 through acommercially provided and publicly available cellular wireless network152. The use of a commercially provided and publicly available cellularwireless network 152 is preferred because: 1) of its low cost; 2) of thewidespread availability and the broad interoperability between competingcommercially provided and publicly available cellular wireless networks152; and, 3) methods and techniques to send SMS and MMS messages over acommercially provided and publicly available cellular wireless network152 are well known and documented by those skilled in the electricalarts.

The GPS module 123 is an electrical device that communicates with theGPS to determine the GPS coordinates of the GPS module 123. When queriedby the logic module 121, the GPS module 123 transfers the GPScoordinates to the logic module 121.

The latch release 124 forms the electrical lock portion of the latchingmechanism 113. The logic module 121 electrically controls the operationof the latch release 124. The logic module 121 sends a signal thatreleases the latch release 124 after the logic module 121 hasbiometrically confirmed the presence of the appropriate authority 103using the biometric sensor 129.

The continuity sensor 125 is an electrical circuit. As shown mostclearly in FIG. 5, the continuity sensor 125 comprises a pull-upresistor and an electrical conductor. The pull-up resistor limits theflow of electricity through the continuity sensor 125 to safe levels.The electric conductor of the continuity sensor 125 is positioned alongthe surface of the wrist band 112 such that the electric conductor iscut if the wrist band 112 is cut. The logic module 121 measures thevoltage across the electric conductor along the length of the wrist band112. If the logic module 121 detects a measurable voltage across theconductor, the logic module 121 sends an SMS message to the appropriateauthority 103 indicating the security of the invention 100 iscompromised.

The battery 126 is a commercially available rechargeable battery 126.The chemical energy stored within the rechargeable battery 126 isrenewed and restored through use of the charging port 127. The chargingport 127 is an electrical circuit that reverses the polarity of therechargeable battery 126 and provides the energy necessary to reversethe chemical processes that the rechargeable battery 126 initially usedto generate the electrical energy. This reversal of the chemical processcreates a chemical potential energy that will later be used by therechargeable battery 126 to generate electricity.

The charging port 127 attaches to an external power source 131 using acharging plug 132. The charging port 127 receives electrical energy fromthe external power source 131 through the charging plug 132. The diode128 is an electrical device that allows current to flow in only onedirection. The diode 128 installs between the rechargeable battery 126and the charging port 127 such that electricity will not flow from thefirst positive terminal 141 of the rechargeable battery 126 into thesecond positive terminal 143 of the external power source 131. In thefirst potential embodiment of the disclosure, the external power source131 and the charging port 127 are compatible with USB powerrequirements.

The biometric sensor 129 is a commercially available security device.The biometric sensor 129 is a sensor that scans the fingerprint of theappropriate authority 103 and codes the scan into an electrical signal.The biometric sensor 129 is an “all-in-one” device that: 1) registersthe fingerprint of the appropriate authority 103; 2) stores theregistered fingerprint of the appropriate authority 103; 3) scans afingerprint during the process of releasing the latch release 124 of thelatch mechanism 113; 4) compares the scanned fingerprint to theregistered fingerprint of the appropriate authority 103; and, 5) upon afingerprint match sends a signal to the logic module 121 verifying thefingerprint match. In the first potential embodiment of the disclosure,a commercially available fingerprint scanner similar to the ADH-TechGT-511C3 fingerprint scanner is the biometric sensor 129.

The following definitions were used in this disclosure:

Appropriate Authority: As used in this disclosure, an appropriateauthority is a previously determined person or organization that isdesignated to receive alarm or other notification messages regarding amonitored system or activity.

Band: As used in this disclosure, a band is a flat loop of material.

Battery: As used in this disclosure, a battery is a chemical deviceconsisting of one or more cells, in which chemical energy is convertedinto electricity and used as a source of power. Batteries are commonlydefined with a positive terminal and a negative terminal.

Biometric Device: As used in this disclosure, a biometric device is asecurity device that identifies an individual through the use of aunique and measurable physiological characteristic of the individual.Typical unique and measurable physiological characteristic include, butare not limited to, fingerprints, DNA, or retina of the eye.

Client: As used in this disclosure, a client is a person who isdesignated to receive service.

Commercially Provided And Publicly Available Cellular Wireless Network:As used in this disclosure, a commercially provided and publiclyavailable cellular wireless network refers to subscription-basedpublically available wireless network commonly used to provide wirelesscommunication access for personal data devices. The commerciallyprovided and publicly available cellular wireless network will typicallyprovide voice communication, data communication services, and SMS andMMS messaging services. The commercially provided and publicly availablecellular wireless network is commonly referred to as the cellularnetwork. The commercially provided and publicly available cellularwireless network is abbreviated as the PPWN.

Electronic Lock: As used in this disclosure, an electronic lock is anelectromechanically operated lock that: 1) mechanically locks an object;and, 2) is secured and released using an electrical or electronicallydriven mechanism.

External Power Source: As used in this disclosure, an external powersource is a source of the energy that is externally provided to enablethe operation of the present disclosure. Examples of external powersources include, but are not limited to, electrical power sources andcompressed air sources.

Form Factor: As used in this disclosure, the term form factor refers tothe size and shape of an object.

Flexible: As used in this disclosure, flexible refers to an object ormaterial that will deform when a force is applied to it but that willnot necessarily return to its original shape when the deforming force isremoved.

GPS: As used in this disclosure, and depending on the context, GPSrefers to: 1) a system of navigational satellites that are used todetermine the position and velocity of a person or object; 2) the systemof navigational satellites referred to in the first definition that areused to synchronize to global time; or, 3) an electronic device or thatuses the system of navigational satellites referred to in the firstdefinition to determine the position of a person or object. GPS is anacronym for Global Positioning System.

Housing: As used in this disclosure, a housing is a rigid casing thatencloses and protects one or more devices.

Jewelry: As used in this disclosure, jewelry is a personal decorativeitem that is worn by a person. Examples of jewelry include, but are notlimited to, necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, cufflinks, brooches,and wristwatches.

Latch: As used in this disclosure, a latch is a fastening or lockingmechanism. The use of the term latch does not necessarily but oftenimplies the insertion of an object into a notch or cavity.

Lock: As used in this disclosure, a lock is a fastening device that isreleased through the use of a key, a numeric or alphanumericcombination, or a biometric identification protocol.

Logic Module: As used in this disclosure, a logic module is a readilyand commercially available electrical device that is programmable andthat accepts digital and analog inputs, processes the digital and analoginputs according to previously stored instruction and provides theresults of these instructions as digital or analog outputs.

PDD: As used in this disclosure, PDD is an acronym for a personal datadevice.

Personal Data Device: As used in this disclosure, a personal data deviceis a handheld logical device that is used for managing personalinformation and communication. Examples of personal data device include,but are not limited to, cellular phones, tablets, and smartphones. Seelogical device

Plug: As used in this disclosure, a plug is an electrical terminationthat electrically connects a first electrical circuit to a secondelectrical circuit or a source of electricity. As used in thisdisclosure, a plug will have two or three metal pins.

Port: As used in this disclosure, a port is an electrical terminationthat is used to connect a first electrical circuit to a second externalelectrical circuit. In this disclosure, the port is designed to receivea plug.

PPWN: As used in this disclosure, the PPWN is an acronym for apublically provided wireless network. The PPWN refers to a commerciallyprovided and publicly available cellular wireless network.

Pull-Up Resistor: As used in this disclosure, a pull-up resistor is anelectrical resistor that is used to: 1) limit the current flow through aswitching device; and, 2) to control the voltage level presented acrossa switch, a load resistor, or a pull-down resistor.

Resistor: As used in this disclosure, a resistor is a well-known andcommonly available electrical device that inhibits the flow ofelectricity through an electric circuit. Within an electric circuitprocessing alternating currents, the resistor will not affect the phaseof the alternating current. A current flowing through a resistor willcreate a voltage across the terminals of the resistor.

Rigid Structure: As used in this disclosure, a rigid structure is asolid structure formed from an inelastic material that resists changesin shape. A rigid structure will permanently deform as it fails under aforce.

SMS: As used in this disclosure, SMS is an abbreviation for shortmessage service. The short message service is a service that is oftenprovided with the cellular services that support personal data devices.Specifically, the SMS allows for the exchange of written messagesbetween personal data devices. The SMS is commonly referred to as textmessaging. A common enhancement of SMS is the inclusion of the deliveryof multimedia services. This enhanced service is often referred to asMultimedia Media Services which is abbreviated as MMS.

USB: As used in this disclosure, USB is an acronym for Universal SerialBus which is an industry standard that defines the cables, theconnectors, the communication protocols and the distribution of powerrequired for interconnections between electronic devices. The USBstandard defines several connectors including, but not limited to,USB-A, USB-B, mini-USB, and micro USB connectors. A USB cable refers toa cable that: 1) is terminated with USB connectors; and, 2) that meetsthe data transmission standards of the USB standard.

Wireless: As used in this disclosure, wireless is an adjective that isused to describe a communication channel between two devices that doesnot require the use of physical cabling.

Wrist: As used in this disclosure, the wrist refers to an eight bonestructure within the human body that flexibly attaches the radial boneand the ulna bone to the metacarpal bones of the hand.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationship for the various components of theinvention described above and in FIGS. 1 through 5 include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation,assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilledin the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the invention.

It shall be noted that those skilled in the art will readily recognizenumerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the variousembodiments of the present invention which will result in an improvedinvention, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, theinvention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims andtheir equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A location-monitoring bracelet comprises ajewelry item and an alarm circuit; wherein the jewelry item contains thealarm circuit; wherein the location-monitoring bracelet is configuredfor use with a client; wherein the location-monitoring bracelet is wornby the client; wherein the location-monitoring bracelet is configuredfor use with an appropriate authority; wherein the location-monitoringbracelet is biometrically attached to the client such that thelocation-monitoring bracelet is removed from the client by theappropriate authority; wherein the alarm circuit comprises a logicmodule, a communication module, a GPS module, a latch release, acharging port, a diode, a biometric sensor, and an external powersource; wherein the external power source further comprises a chargingplug; wherein the logic module, the communication module, the GPSmodule, the latch release, the charging port, the diode, the biometricsensor, the external power source and the charging plug are electricallyinterconnected; wherein the battery further comprises a first positiveterminal and a first negative terminal; wherein the external powersource further comprises a second positive terminal and a secondnegative terminal.
 2. The location-monitoring bracelet according toclaim 1 wherein the appropriate authority further comprises a personaldata device; wherein the personal data device further comprises acommercially provided and publicly available cellular wireless network;wherein the personal data device is a programmable electrical devicethat communicates with the alarm circuit through the commerciallyprovided and publicly available cellular wireless network; wherein thealarm circuit communicates the location of the client using SMS messagestransmitted over a wireless communication link and through thecommercially provided and publicly available cellular wireless network.3. The location-monitoring bracelet according to claim 2 wherein thejewelry item is worn on the wrist of the client.
 4. Thelocation-monitoring bracelet according to claim 3 wherein the alarmcircuit is an electric circuit; wherein the alarm circuit communicateswith a GPS such that the alarm circuit determines the GPS coordinates ofthe client; wherein the alarm circuit monitors the jewelry item suchthat the alarm circuit will detect when the jewelry item is cut off ofthe client; wherein the alarm circuit communicates over the wirelesscommunication link with the commercially provided and publicly availablecellular wireless network.
 5. The location-monitoring bracelet accordingto claim 4 wherein the alarm circuit sends an SMS message to inform theappropriate authority of the GPS coordinates of the client; wherein thealarm circuit sends an SMS message to inform the appropriate authoritywhen the jewelry item has been cut off the client; wherein the alarmcircuit biometrically confirms the identity of the appropriateauthority.
 6. The location-monitoring bracelet according to claim 5wherein the jewelry item comprises a housing, a wrist band, and alatching mechanism; wherein the wrist band attaches to the housing;wherein the latching mechanism attaches to the wrist band.
 7. Thelocation-monitoring bracelet according to claim 6 wherein the housing isa rigid structure; wherein the housing contains the alarm circuit. 8.The location-monitoring bracelet according to claim 7 wherein the wristband forms a loop; wherein the wrist band is a flexible structure. 9.The location-monitoring bracelet according to claim 8 wherein thelatching mechanism is a fastening device; wherein the latching mechanismsecures the wrist band to the wrist of the client.
 10. Thelocation-monitoring bracelet according to claim 9 wherein the latchingmechanism is an electrically controlled lock; wherein the latchingmechanism is controlled by the alarm circuit.
 11. Thelocation-monitoring bracelet according to claim 10 wherein the alarmcircuit implements biometric safeguards that ensure that only theappropriate authority can authorize the release of the latchingmechanism.
 12. The location-monitoring bracelet according to claim 11wherein the logic module is a programmable electronic device; whereinthe communication module is a wireless electronic communication device;wherein the communication module is controlled by the logic module;wherein the communication module communicates SMS messages between thelogic module and the appropriate authority over the wirelesscommunication link and the commercially provided and publicly availablecellular wireless network.
 13. The location-monitoring braceletaccording to claim 12 wherein the GPS module is an electrical device;wherein the GPS module communicates with the GPS; wherein the GPS moduledetermines the GPS coordinates of the GPS module; wherein the GPS moduletransfers the GPS coordinates to the logic module.
 14. Thelocation-monitoring bracelet according to claim 13 wherein the latchrelease forms the electrical control of the lock of the latchingmechanism; wherein the logic module electrically controls the operationof the latch release.
 15. The location-monitoring bracelet according toclaim 14 wherein the logic module sends a signal that releases the latchrelease after the logic module has biometrically confirmed the presenceof the appropriate authority using the biometric sensor.
 16. Thelocation-monitoring bracelet according to claim 15 wherein a continuitysensor is an electrical circuit; wherein the electric conductor of thecontinuity sensor is positioned along the surface of the wrist band suchthat the logic module detects a measurable voltage across the continuitysensor when the wrist band is cut.
 17. The location-monitoring braceletaccording to claim 16 wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery;wherein the chemical energy stored within the rechargeable battery isrenewed and restored through the charging port; wherein the chargingport is an electrical circuit that reverses the polarity of therechargeable battery; wherein the charging port attaches to an externalpower source using the charging plug; wherein the charging port receiveselectrical energy from the external power source through the chargingplug.
 18. The location-monitoring bracelet according to claim 17 whereinthe diode is an electrical device that allows current to flow in onlyone direction; wherein the diode installs between the rechargeablebattery and the charging port such that electricity will not flow fromthe first positive terminal of the rechargeable battery into the secondpositive terminal of the external power source.
 19. Thelocation-monitoring bracelet according to claim 18 wherein the biometricsensor registers the fingerprint of the appropriate authority; whereinthe biometric sensor stores the registered fingerprint of theappropriate authority; wherein the biometric sensor scans a fingerprintduring the logic module activates the latch release; wherein thebiometric sensor compares the scanned fingerprint to the registeredfingerprint of the appropriate authority; wherein the biometric sends asignal to the logic module verifying the fingerprint match.